Author: Jennifer Fondrevay

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PODCAST: The Teller: Your Bank Merger is On Hold…Now What?

As part of The Teller’s continued content series on mergers and acquisitions in banking, Chris McGuire spoke with Jennifer on the added complication of what marketers should do when they find themselves in limbo as governmental restrictions keep their bank’s merger or acquisition from moving forward. Chris and Jennifer discuss typical M&A timelines, the “stages of grief” for employees, how to future proof your bank marketing career during an M&A and more. The full interview transcript can be found here.

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PODCAST: Going Solo: Feeling Grief After Losing a Job

Feelings of grief are common when you lose a job. In this Going Solo episode with David Shriner-Cahn, Jennifer shares her strategies for overcoming the grief you feel when you lose your career identity.

  • Mourning the future that won’t be [04:44]
  • How to go from denial to acceptance [07:50]
  • Bargaining: stuck in the middle with yourself [10:34]
  • What makes the best credibility for a consultant [15:58]
  • The reason why a large percent of M&A fail [19:00]
  • How being on a quest can help you overcome grief [20:36]

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Work Arts Interview

In this Work Arts interview, Brandon Curry and Jennifer J. Fondrevay discuss their individual experiences leading and advising organizations through mergers, acquisitions, and other significant transformations. Jennifer shares how calls for help have changed, including her perspective on lessons leaders have learned from leading through the pandemic that help us lead through transactions and transformations. Brandon and Jennifer also discuss how post-merger integration culture and team development work is different following nearly two years of hybrid and remote work.

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ACG Toronto Capital Connection 2021

Can You Afford to Have Former Rock Stars in Your Post M&A Deal?

In this insightful session for ACG Toronto Capital Connection, Jennifer Fondrevay and moderator Alan Litwack discuss the role of Former Rock Stars in post-M&A deals.

“In my case in mergers and acquisitions, I frequently was seeing rock star performers stumbling after the the deal had been announced. And in that post-integration, because the metrics have to change, they change almost overnight. And you can have a rock star who can’t pivot with those changes, who is stuck, who has done very well with those past success metrics, but can’t pivot and move. They’re used to doing sales one way and they flounder….But what we see repeatedly happen is when the metrics for success change, new rock stars can rise, new people can be contributors, and you’ve spent all of your energy focused on, on on an individual or a team.”

Listen to hear Alan’s a-ha moments on how Former Rock Stars are critical champions for the team during the M&A process.

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PODCAST: WHY M&AS FAIL AND HOW TO FIX THIS

One of the primary reasons that a merger may fail is less about strategic, operational, or financial fit. Rather, it may be that the two companies’ embedded cultures cannot be easily aligned. Some issues may surface during the due diligence phase but identifying how the cultures are going to work together is paramount.

In this podcast with Andrea Petrone, Jennifer discusses:

  • The mutual benefits in employing humility, respect, and understanding.
  • Why there needs to be acceptance of the change occurring within the workforce.
  • How to retain critical talent in the workplace.
  • Why it is important to lead by example.

Read the full article about the interview here: Why M&As Fail and How to Fix This

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PODCAST Succession Stories: The Human Side of M&A Deals

Did you know that 80% of mergers and acquisitions fail? An often overlooked yet critical aspect of M&A deals and transitions is the people factor. Jennifer Fondrevay, Founder of Day1 Ready, advises senior executives on how to plan for expected challenges. Listen in as Laurie Barkman talks with Jennifer about the emotional aspect of business transition, and how those emotions come into play for a newly merged organization. If you’re anticipating a company transition in your future, listen in to learn more about how strategies around the human factor can drive greater success in M&A deals.

Listen in to learn more about:

  • What to anticipate from your workforce when you announce an M&A deal
  • Three key things to consider when buying or selling a business
  • Benefits of a human capital-centric approach to M&A
  • How to build confidence and synergy among different parties involved during a transition

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PODCAST: What Now? How M&A Can Impact Your Zero to Ten Journey

The whole transition process of mergers and acquisitions could really be painstaking, especially for employees who are worried of what’s to come next for them out of the M&A deal. In this scenario, it helps to assume the worst so you can be in line with the mentality of your workforce to get them onboard and motivated.

If you fail to effectively communicate what you really want to do and where you aim to go with your mergers and acquisitions deal, the new setup that you’re going to be dealing with is surely to take its toll on you.

Join host Brett Trainor as he and Jennifer discuss:

  1. Introduction [00:00]
  2. Going through an M&A is a matter of when [04:10]
  3. What CEOs need to prepare for during M&A [06:00]
  4. Power and influence of culture in an M&A [09:59]
  5. Dealing with the new reality of the workforce [11:47]
  6. How to avoid becoming a “former rock star” [15:37]
  7. Being crystal clear when approaching the deal [18:07]
  8. Premortem Exercises – Scenario Planning [20:19]
  9. The challenge of giving up old ways [25:32]
  10. Overcommunication as a key to a successful M&A transition [28:44]
  11. Trends in the new normal set-up of businesses [31:18]
  12. Jennifer’s piece of advice to fellow workaholics [36:33]